ROYALS STUN THE KINGDOM

PLAYING with ravenous intensity and desire, Meath put the All-Ireland SFC cat among the pigeons with a stunning victory over a disappointing Kerry at O'Connor Park in Tullamore yesterday.

- BY JOHN O'DOWD

Inspired by kicking a brace of consecutive two-pointers at crucial stages of both halves, the Royals were full value for their nine-point victory.

It's a win that puts them straight into the last eight after topping Group 2.

Experienced campaigner Bryan Menton notched the game's only goal in the 57th minute, as the Leinster runners-up turned on the style to devastating effect.

The Kingdom, who simply never got going, are left to reflect on a hugely-chastening defeat, and now face the immediate jeopardy of a preliminary quarter-final in a week's time.